.webp)
acneskincareroutine
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the pilo-sebaceous follicles and which manifests itself through the appearance of comedones, papules, pustules and cysts.
The causes of acne are manifold. Hormonal alterations, genetic components, but also external factors, such as pollution, a disordered diet and stress, are among the causes that can cause acne. Depending on the degree of severity, different types of acne lesions can occur.
Contrary to popular belief, acne is a disorder that affects not only the age of puberty but can also occur in adulthood.
In a person with acne-prone skin, the sebum, that is the oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands to protect the skin, is produced in a higher quantity than normal. For this reason, oily skin has the typical shiny and oily appearance.
Acne appears when excess sebum, mixing with the dead cells of the superficial layer of the skin, clogs the hair follicles and forms a sort of plug, the blackhead. If bacteria begin to proliferate in the clogged follicle, the tissue becomes infected and a pimple forms.
A good acne skincare routine can help improve the appearance of acne-prone skin, simple daily steps to have cleaner and more protected skin.
Fight acne in simple steps with the right skincare products.
Morning Routine
Wash Your Face Every Morning
Even while we sleep, the skin on the face accumulates impurities from the outside, due to contact with the pillow, hair, sweat. So, to have healthier skin, it is essential to wash your face in the morning.
Prefer delicate soaps that, thanks to their ingredients, deeply cleanse the face without drying the skin.
Recommended Products:
Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic-Acid Acne-Fighting Face Wash
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Wash
Moisturize
Oily, acne-prone skin definitely needs hydration. Without this, the sebaceous glands end up producing more sebum (oil) to compensate, causing clogged pores and excessively shiny skin. Keep skin balanced and hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer (choose a lotion formula if your skin is dry / combination and a gel formula if your skin is oily) that contains moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine and ceramides.
Recommended Products:
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
REN Clean Skincare Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream
Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion - Oil Free
Wear SPF
After the appearance of a pimple, annoying marks and scars may appear and persist for weeks. Exposure to UV rays from the sun can make this situation worse and can also lead to premature skin aging. So it's important to apply sunscreen to your face every morning.
Make sure the acne skincare product you are using contains SPF 30 or more, which is the daily minimum recommended by dermatologists and is non-comedogenic, which means the formula has been tested to not clog pores.
Recommended Products:
SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50
Clinique Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin-Face Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Nighttime Routine
Removing Makeup / Cleansing Your Face Every Night
Night is the time when the skin regenerates.
It is during the day, however, that the skin absorbs impurities from the external environment, such as dust, smog, but obviously also makeup. To prevent these residues from clogging the pores and mixing with sebum and dead cells, inflaming the skin and forming pimples, it is important to clean your face thoroughly before going to sleep.
Recommended Products:
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Hydrating Gel Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Soap Free Cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Foaming Facial Cleanser
Aesop In Two Minds Facial Cleanser
Apply an acne treatment
Choose serums or gels with specific active ingredients designed to "actively" treat your acne.
Adapalene: a type of over-the-counter retinoid formulated specifically for acne. It regulates cell turnover, reduces oil production, and calms inflammation (best for blackheads, whiteheads and cystic acne).
Salicylic acid: a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that dissolves the excess oil and dead skin cells that lead to clogged pores (best for blackheads, whiteheads).
Benzoyl peroxide: an ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin and in your pores (best for inflammatory acne and pustules).
Niacinamide: also known as vitamin b3, it reduces inflammation and discoloration, while balancing oil production.
It is recommended that you start using these treatments gradually. For example, start using them twice a week, gradually building your tolerance and then moving on to daily use.
Recommended Products:
Adapalene: Differin Acne Treatment Gel
Benzoyl peroxide: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment; Neutrogena, Rapid Clear, Stubborn Acne Spot Gel, Maximum Strength; Replenix Acne Solutions Benzoyl Peroxide Gel Spot Treatment
Salicylic acid: PCA Skin Acne Gel; Dermalogica overnight clearing gel; Typology Targeted Blemish Serum LAB-1005
Niacinamide: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%; Facetheory Porebright Serum N10; Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique Soothing B3 Serum
… and Moisturize
After waiting a minute or two for any acne treatment applied to have penetrated your skin, apply the same moisturizer you used in the morning. There is no need for a separate night cream.
This routine will slowly improve your skin. Most acne treatments take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks of consistent use before giving you any visible results but be patient and just stick with it and your skin will thank you.
